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Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Tips
Are you planning a dinner
party and the only thing on your mind is "What
if someone spills on my carpet?"
Aside from recommending that you don't
serve red wine or coffee, here's a simple guide for
treating stains and maintaining carpets and upholstery.
Always clean up spills quickly to avoid
staining. Start by removing any solid debris. Clean
the spill using clean, cold water and blotting with
white paper towels or cloths. Never scrub or brush the
spill as it will damage fibers and possibly set the
stain. Only if this method does not work should you
move on to harsher treatments.
Regular vacuuming and spot treatment
will improve the quality and life span of your carpets
and upholstery.
Since chemicals are hard on the fibers
of carpets and upholstery, you should always start with
the weakest solution before moving on. Start with clean
water and move onto a mild solution of liquid soap (never
use laundry detergent) or an oxygen based cleaner which
usually works well on organic stains (food, animal,
blood) before using chemical spot removers.
Western Regional Pollution Prevention
Network (WRPPN) cautions professional janitors and cleaners
to avoid using chemicals as much as possible.
Carpet spot removal products are made
with some of the most dangerous chemicals and should
always be applied when wearing gloves and in an area
with good ventilation.
Test the cleaning products for carpets
or upholstery in a hidden spot to make certain it won't
stain. Place a white paper towel or cloth on the tested
area to check for color transfer. If the cleaner is
safe apply a small amount of spot removal product to
a clean, white cloth and work your way from the OUTSIDE
of the stain inwards. Keep at it only using a stronger
solution when you are no longer getting results with
water or mild detergent.
Upholstery stains can also be treated
with a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution that can be left
on and dabbed. You do not need to rinse. Hydrogen Peroxide
works equally well on vinyl furniture.
When the stain is removed rinse with
clean water and blot the excess out. Replace towels
when they are too wet to absorb anymore water. Be careful
to avoid over wetting as it can also damage your carpet
or cause mildew in your carpet or upholstered furniture.
Taking the time to treat spills before
they're stains will go a long way in keeping your carpets
and upholstery looking as good as new!
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